On Sat, 03 Apr 2010 08:41:31 -0600, John Haltiwanger
<john.haltiwan...@gmail.com> wrote:
2010/4/3 Idris Samawi Hamid ادريس سماوي حامد <isha...@colostate.edu>:
It is a book on ConTeXt, but NOT a ConTeXtBook, ConTeXt Companion, or
other
clone. Rather, it aims to introduce Context as a general tool for
typographical and typesetting engineering. Some of the philosophy of
book
design and layout will be discussed, and it will contain a strong
reference
to commands etc.
As the unique nature of typographical programming has lead it to
under-documentation, I want to say that maintaining this as a central
focus is a brilliant idea. Will Section II involve describing some
detail important aspects of ConTeXt's internals?
Let's distinguish typographical engineering from typographical
programming. This will not be a book on the latter per se. Typographical
engineering can be done by a non-programmer -- structured and automated
processing using the high-level commands of Context. Typographic
programming is an advanced topic, for which this book can serve as an
introduction.
So there may be some introduction to the ConTeXt internals, but nothing
too indepth. Hopefully there will be successors to this first book which
build on the foundation in different ways, or which or written fro a
programmer-audience from the start.
So no knowledge or familiarity with TeX is assumed at all. We will cover
some advanced topics as well, including introductions to luatex
scripting
etc
As this is precisely my situation, perhaps I can offer you the benefit
of a test-able target audience? Today I am already looking into the
best route to learning TeX/mkiv in a holistic (ie not just looking for
the 'recipe' I need to meet a given deadline). I have just entered
full-time thesis mode, so the question begins Should I just sit down
and read the TeXBook?
For typographic programming, of course the TeXBook is, if no
indispensable, then extremely useful.
OTOH, we need a luaTeXBook that describes the eTeX extensions, the
omega-aleph extensions, and luatex's own extensions, not to mention using
the lua scripting language itself.
(something that will be done regardless, it's
just a question as what is most worthwhile to Getting Something Done
Right Now) or would it be that the LuaTeX manual is more directly
applicable? Or, perhaps, a chapter from your book? ;)
I want to have one chapter on advanced techniques that includes an
introduction to typographic programming in TeX -- including the primitive
extensions -- and lua. But that will have to be expanded to a full book
later on by real programmers like Wolfgang or Luigi.
I was not planning to announce this for some time yet, but given the
buzz
around the topic on ConTeXt documentation Hans thought it would be a
good
moment to introduce this project and to get your feedback.
So please use this thread to make suggestions:
What would you all like to see covered in the planned book project:
Typographical Ontology and Engineering: Structured and Automated
Authoring
in Context
I look forward to your feedback and suggestions!
I think the more you source it with the community, the stronger it
will become. That is, our ignorance will most likely help you refine
it in ways you wouldn't have expected to need to. But in other ways as
well. For example, the appendix on workflows can gain a lot from
community input I'd think.
Can you explain what you mean by "appendix on workflows"?
A community model for feedback on the book would be useful. I don't want
it too open at the moment -- can slow down development and I want to get
this DONE. But maybe a select audience of test-able volunteers will be the
way to go... thnx for that suggestion!
Best wishes
Idris
--
Professor Idris Samawi Hamid, Editor-in-Chief
International Journal of Shi`i Studies
Department of Philosophy
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
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